Persistence of memory Though you don’t need to know anything about Elvis Perkins’s colorful and, at times, deeply tragic family history to appreciate his debut album, significant details can’t help but call out to you.

MySpace celebrity No charm, little grace, what’s left of Alright, Still by the end are rich young Allen’s swipes at her poor, old, and obvious targets, horrific classism, the worst kind of celebrity self-obsession. Lily Allen, "Smile" (mp3)

Standards For much of his life, no one played Thelonious Monk pieces except Thelonious Monk.

The Big Hurt: Fire sales The world’s largest collection of recorded music has gone up for auction on eBay with a starting bid of $3 million.

Life is a highway The fates of several Devil’s Elbow residents hang on the fate of an entrance ramp-to-be.